The August 30 full moon is a rare and special event because it is a super blue moon. A super moon occurs when the full moon coincides with the moon’s perigee, which is the point in its orbit when it is closest to Earth. A blue moon is a second full moon in a calendar month. So, the August 30 full moon is the second full moon in August, making it a blue moon.
The phases of the Moon for August 2023. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
A super moon occurs when the full moon coincides with the moon’s perigee, which is the point in its orbit when it is closest to Earth. This makes the moon appear slightly larger and brighter than usual.
The moon will reach its peak fullness at 9:36 p.m. EDT on August 30. However, it will appear full the day before and after its peak. So, you will have a few days to enjoy this rare and beautiful sight.
The next blue moon will be on January 31, 2026. So, make sure to mark your calendars and plan to see this rare and special event!
The combination of a super moon and a blue moon is a very rare event. It happens about once every 2-3 years. So, if you are lucky enough to be able to see the August 30 full moon, it will be a special occasion.
The blue moon on August 30, 2023 can be seen from anywhere in the world where the sky is clear. However, the best viewing conditions will be in areas with low light pollution.
Here are some of the countries and areas where you can see the blue moon:
North America: Canada, United States, Mexico
South America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile
Europe: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy
Asia: China, Japan, India, Indonesia
Australia, New Zealand
Africa: South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania
If you are planning to see the blue moon, be sure to check the weather forecast for your area. You will also want to make sure that you have a clear view of the western horizon, as the moon will rise in that direction.
Comparison of the size of an average full moon, compared to the size of a super moon. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Here are some tips for viewing the August 30 full moon:
Find a location with clear skies.
Look for the moon in the western sky after sunset.
The moon will appear larger and brighter than usual.
You may even be able to see a reddish or orange tint to the moon.
The term “blue moon” has two different meanings.
The original meaning refers to a full moon that occurs once in a season when there are four full moons instead of the usual three. This happens about every two and a half years.
The more common meaning of “blue moon” refers to the second full moon in a calendar month. This happens about once every two and a half years, but it is not as rare as the original meaning.
In either case, a blue moon does not actually turn blue. The moon’s color is determined by the way sunlight is scattered by the Earth’s atmosphere. The blue light is scattered more than the other colors, so the moon usually appears white or gray.
However, in rare cases, the moon can appear blue if there is a lot of dust or smoke in the atmosphere. This can happen after a volcanic eruption or a forest fire. The dust or smoke particles scatter the blue light more than the other colors, so the moon can appear blue.
So, while a blue moon does not actually turn blue, it is a rare and special event. If you ever get a chance to see a blue moon, be sure to enjoy it!
Here are some additional details about the two meanings of “blue moon”:
The original meaning of “blue moon” dates back to the 17th century. It was first used by farmers in Europe to refer to the fourth full moon in a season when there were usually three.
The more common meaning of “blue moon” was first used in the 1940s by an astronomer named James Hugh Pruett. He wrote an article in Sky & Telescope magazine in which he defined a blue moon as the second full moon in a month.
Summary
The upcoming blue moon on August 30, 2023 is a rare and special event. It is a super moon, which means that it is the second full moon in a month and it is also the closest full moon to Earth in 2023. The moon will appear slightly larger and brighter than usual, and it can be seen from anywhere in the world where the sky is clear. The best viewing conditions will be in areas with low light pollution. So, mark your calendars and plan to see this rare and beautiful event!
